A major review conducted by researchers in Germany has found that replacing meat and dairy products with whole grains, beans, nuts, and olive oil can have a significant impact on reducing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The study analyzed 37 published studies and discovered that switching from red and processed meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy to plant-based foods like beans, nuts, whole grains, oils, fruits, and vegetables resulted in marked reductions in cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The risk of dying from any cause was also lower during the periods covered by the studies, particularly when red and processed meats were replaced with plant-based alternatives. The findings highlight the potential benefits of shifting from animal-based diets to plant-based foods, such as nuts, legumes, whole grains, and olive oil. For instance, replacing 50g of processed meat with nuts or legumes was associated with a 25% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, while replacing one egg with nuts led to a 17% lower risk. The study also revealed a reduction in type 2 diabetes of about 20% when 50g of processed meat was swapped for nuts or when a daily egg was replaced with whole grains or nuts. The research emphasizes the health benefits of replacing processed meat, particularly red meat in the form of ham, bacon, sausages, or hotdogs. The study did not explore the specific reasons behind these observed health benefits. (1)
0 Comments